Posted February 3, 2015

 

ATLANTA – Details for Techtextil North America’s World-Class Symposium in Houston have been finalized.

 

More than 30 industry experts from around the world are coming together to present their innovative technologies during the 12th edition of Techtextil North America, which will take place June 2-4, 2015 at the George R. Brown Convention Center in Houston.

 

Techtextil North America is again co-located with JEC Americas, which will result in an unparalleled event creating the largest technical textiles, nonwovens, geosynthetics and composites trade show in the United States.

 

"Techtextil North America is known for its quality education sessions,” said Steve Warner, publisher, Beaverlake6 Report. “As a member of the Symposium Advisory Committee, it's been for me a difficult assignment to narrow down speakers and topics because there are so many interesting emerging end-use applications. The symposium sessions this year reflect the excitement and vitality of a constantly evolving industry. The speakers are top-notch and give their ‘real world’ experience and expertise. Delegates will come away with valuable information about applications in the aerospace, medical products, protective and tensile structure markets, as well as new developments in fibers and nonwoven technologies. There is a session devoted to the sustainability of materials, a very hot topic right now,"

 

Symposium highlights

 

New Fiber Technologies (Basic)

This is part one of a two-part session. Part one is intended for those who are new to the synthetic fiber industry, those needing a good understanding of fiber fundamentals, and those interested in learning about the latest commercially significant fiber processes. Moderator: Arnold Wilkie, Hills, Inc.

 

Smart Textiles – Applications

Smart textiles are used in a variety of end-use industries, sports and fitness, protection and safety through personal protective equipment. Discover how this innovative technology and research can elevate your current product line. Moderator: Eugene Wilusz, U.S. ARMY

 

New Fiber Technologies (Advanced)

This is part two of a two-part session. Learn from experts about the most recent synthetic fiber developments expected to have technical and commercial significance in the field of synthetic fibers. Advanced products from micro and nanofibers to carbon fibers will be considered. Moderator: Arnold Wilkie, Hills, Inc.

 

Aerospace Textile Applications

Technical fabric products are employed throughout the aerospace industry for both ground support and flight hardware. There are both fabric products that have been traditionally used, and for which a supplier base is somewhat established, and fabric products which are being adapted to new requirements and modification of existing applications. The role of those serving aerospace will need to be a collaborative one in applying their knowledge of the uses of fabrics to those evolving requirements

Moderator: Bud Weisbart, AR Tech

 

Medical: Research and Application Based

The application of novel materials and innovative structures is key to the success of developing new healthcare products that are needed to span a wide range of clinical applications. Pressing issues currently include an aging population, limitations to medical budgets, increasing numbers of drug-resistant bacteria, and hospital acquired infections reaching epidemic proportions. The role of this session is to illustrate how current research is moving examples of the latest medical textile products from the laboratory bench to the hospital bedside. Moderator: Bud Weisbart, AR Tech

 

Tension Structures

Businesses are looking for innovative and inexpensive ways to protect their products from weather elements such as hail and sun damage. Public entities are demanding allocated shade space in outdoor gathering places such as parks and schoolyards. Architects are looking for inspirational design, which will define a building. This symposium will feature the leading experts in tensile structures focusing on the latest fabric technologies and materials available for use. A “must attend” event filled with project examples. Moderator: Steve Warner, Beaverlake6 Report

 

Nonwoven Advancements

The nonwovens session will focus on the latest machinery developments and all segments of the industry from web formation to bonding including needle punching, spunbonding and melt blowing to hydroentangling, and thermal bonding. New and emerging product lines will also be a focus. Moderator: Dr. Behnam Pourdeyhimi, The Nonwovens Institute

 

Raw Materials/Sustainability

The sustainability of raw materials is an important principle in creating a productive harmony between fulfilling social and economic requirements for future generations. Two key concepts will be addressed in this session: Natural, sustainable and renewable materials as the sources for polymers; and eco-friendly, atmospheric and equilibrium dyeing processes that reduce energy and water consumption Moderator: Mike Clements, Huesker, Inc.

 

Protective Fabrics (Military/Civilian) 

Discover the latest advances in textiles designed to provide protection against a wide range of threats facing the military, emergency responders and industrial workers. Topics will include approaches to flame resistance, chemical and biological barriers, ballistic protection, and related areas. Moderator: Eugene Wilusz, U.S. Army

 

Graduate Student Research Poster Program

The student poster session will offer young researchers a platform to discuss the latest in cutting edge research and development at leading Institutions. Attendees will be the first to hear the latest research findings in academia allowing these future leaders to engage the industry. 5 Graduate Students will present their latest research. Moderator: Dr. Behnam Pourdeyhimi, The Nonwovens Institute

 

The 2015 Symposium has been developed by leading industry experts to provide a platform for presenters to interact with attendees after each session. The program is designed to allow attendees plenty of time to spend on the exhibition floor to discover the latest innovative products and developments from around the world.

 

Advisory Council Board members are:

• Behnam Pourdeyhimi, The Nonwovens Institute

• Mike Clements, Huesker, Inc.

• Eugene Wilusz, U.S. ARMY

• Arnold Wilkie, Hills, Inc.

• Bud Weisbart, AR Tech

• Steve Warner, Beaverlake6 Report

 

For the full list of speakers and to Pre-Register for Techtextil North America 2015, please visit www.techtextilNA.com.

Program finalized for TTNA World-Class Symposium